Larry Dane Brimner facts for kids
Larry Dane Brimner, born on November 5, 1949, is an American writer who has written over 150 books for children. He used to be a teacher and also gives presentations. His books cover many topics, from fun fantasy stories for younger kids to important non-fiction books for older children.
Many of Larry Dane Brimner's books focus on civil rights. These books help young readers understand important moments in history and the fight for fairness. His book We Are One: The Story of Bayard Rustin won the Jane Addams Children's Book Award in 2008. Another book, Birmingham Sunday, received the Orbis Pictus Honor Book Award in 2011. His 2011 book, Black & White: The Confrontation between Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth and Eugene "Bull" Connor, won the Carter G. Woodson Book Award and was named a Robert F. Sibert Honor Book. More recently, Brimner has written about migrant children he once taught in his book STRIKE! The Farm Workers' Fight for Their Rights.
Early Life and Education
Larry Dane Brimner was born in St. Petersburg, Florida. His father was in the military, so Brimner spent much of his childhood living in different places, including Kodiak Island in Alaska. On Kodiak Island, there was no television and only a little radio, so his parents often read books to him. This helped him develop a love for reading and stories.
By the age of four, his family moved to a rural area near San Diego, California. Brimner later attended San Diego State University, where he earned a degree in British Literature in 1971. He continued his studies and received a master's degree from the same university in 1981.
Teaching and Writing Career
From 1974 to 1984, Larry Dane Brimner worked as a writing teacher at El Centro Union High School in El Centro, California. This area is a desert farming community. After that, he lectured at San Diego State University from 1984 to 1992, teaching in the College of Education.
Since 1985, Brimner has been a full-time writer. He loves to visit schools to talk with students and encourage them to write their own stories. He has been a visiting author at schools on three different continents! He also speaks at conferences for teachers and writers.
Award-Winning Books
Larry Dane Brimner has won many awards for his books. Some of these include the Teachers' Choice Award, the Eureka! Silver Award, and the Jane Addams Honor Book Award. He has also received recognition from the New York Public Library and the Bank Street College.
One of his early-reader books, Cats!, has sold over 300,000 copies and is still popular today. While he enjoys writing picture books, he is especially known for his non-fiction books, particularly those that focus on social justice. These books help young readers learn about important historical events and people who fought for fairness and equality.
In 2018, his book Twelve Days in May: Freedom Ride 1961 won the prestigious Sibert Medal. This award recognizes the most distinguished informational book for children.
Larry Dane Brimner currently lives in San Diego, California. He also has a small writing studio in Tucson, Arizona, where he continues to create new stories and non-fiction works for young readers.
